Meet Our Sacramento Learning Specialists

Dr. Leah Skinner is a Certified Dyslexia Therapist with a Doctor of Education in Reading, Literacy, and Assessment, a Master of Education in Dyslexia Specialization, and is trained in numerous Structured Literacy Programs (Orton-Gillingham). As a Certified Special Education Advocate, she helps parents navigate dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia and ADHD within the education system. After five rewarding years at a school for dyslexic students, Leah brought her passion and knowledge to a larger community in 2020, opening READ Academy of Sacramento/READ Learning Center with a team of talented and experienced teachers. She is supported by her husband of 32 years and her five sons (4 of whom are dyslexic).

Kassie began her work with struggling readers as a volunteer with the Placer County Reading Council. She holds a Bachelor's degree in English from Sacramento State University and has extensive experience supporting students with dyslexia through Foundations in Sounds, Barton, and the Wilson Reading System. A Master Level Certified Barton Instructor and trained Wilson Reading Instructor, Kassie brings deep expertise to her instructional practice. She helps students reach their full potential through compassion, empathy, and a highly responsive teaching style tailored to each learner's needs.

Shelley has over 17 years of experience working with children in a public school setting and also with dyslexic students in a private school setting. In addition to being a talented Certified Barton Reading and Spelling instructor, Shelley is the go-to person for students, staff and parents alike. She is a dedicated administrative secretary and tirelessly supports all staff. She is the friendly voice on the phone, the smiling face at the beginning and end of the day, the safe-keeper of students, and the one that everyone knows.

Ebony is a proud first-generation college graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Child and Adolescent Development from Sacramento State. Passionate about supporting young people and their families, she is dedicated to applying her education to create positive change in the community. With a strong foundation in developmental psychology and hands-on experience, Ebony aims to empower children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In her free time, she enjoys painting, baking, and reading, which enrich her understanding of creativity and nurturing in youth development.

Achante began her work in education in high school, tutoring students in English writing classes and discovering a deep passion for teaching. She an accredited Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) instructor and is trained in Foundations in Sounds and the Barton Reading and Spelling System. Achante a gifted instructor who brings a structured, explicit approach to writing that empowers students to organize their ideas, build strong sentences, and communicate with clarity.

Milan is an accredited IEW instructor who holds a BA in Psychology and a minor in History from the University of California, Davis. He also studied at the European College of Liberal Arts in Berlin, Germany and holds a Master of Arts in Russian Cultural Studies from the European University at St. Petersburg, Russia. In his free time, Milan enjoys reading, writing and playing sports. He brings his passion for history and his love for basketball to Read Academy where the students strive to beat him during the friendly lunchtime games. READ is lucky to have both a historian and an athlete in our faculty!

Before joining Read Academy, a chance trip to Paris sparked Philippe's passion for writing. While living in "The City of Lights," he earned a B.A. in Creative Writing from The American University of Paris. During his studies, he began teaching English to children of various ages, discovering a love for education. Today, he hopes to instill in his students both the joy of written expression and an appreciation for writing as a useful skill and a rewarding pursuit in itself.

Gretchen is a lifelong education enthusiast who received her degree from Sacramento State and is now completing her Master of Education. She is a seasoned teacher who taught third and fourth graders in Sacramento and has worked in Special Education in the Folsom Cordova School District. Gretchen brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her reading and writing classes. When she is not busy inspiring young minds, Gretchen can usually be found with her nose in a book or spending time with her loved ones.

Ava grew up in Eastern Washington and, after living throughout the Pacific Northwest, has happily made Sacramento her home. She has always centered learning in her life, whether teaching or hosting local trivia nights. Ava holds a B.A. in Linguistics from the University of Oregon and an M.A. in Comparative Literature from UC Davis. She is a passionate educator pursuing her Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner designation and strives to instill confidence and curiosity in new readers.

Berenice Mejia is a dedicated reading instructor with a BA in Child and Adolescent Development from CSU, Sacramento. She volunteers with Keaton's Child Cancer Alliance, offering support to families during community events and outreach activities. Her passion for education grew from this work and inspired her commitment to structured literacy. Berenice is now completing her Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner designation, strengthening her ability to deliver systematic, research-based reading instruction.

Gladys grew up in Southern California and lived in the PNW for a few years while completing her B.A. in English Literature. She is an avid reader and writer and loves an opportunity to share her love of literature with others, whether that be with other bookworms or with students. Gladys believes that it's important to never stop learning and hopes to pursue an MFA in Creative Writing sometime in the future. She's excited to share with students the joy of writing & literature.

La Shauna joined the READ team in April 2023, bringing with her over eight years of experience leading small reading groups in classrooms. Prior to joining READ, she directed a Response to Intervention (RTI) team that successfully closed reading gaps for primary and middle school students. La Shauna is a certified Para-Educator and a Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner. Her passion for reading is personal; as a mother of a child with dyslexia, La Shauna understands firsthand the journey your child is on, and she is dedicated to sharing her love of reading and helping every student succeed.

After receiving a Bachelor of Science in Government, Julie worked in IT for a Financial Services company for 10 years. When one of her three children was diagnosed with dyslexia, Julie became passionate about wanting to help other children who were struggling to read. Julie is a Wilson Dyslexia Therapist and certified in the Barton Reading and Spelling System. Additionally, Julie is responsible for providing day-to-day support to staff and students as needed. She is happy to be part of the reading team at READ Academy.

JoAnne is a certified Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner who pursued Liberal Studies with a minor in Child Psychology at San Diego State University. She holds a Montessori certification and has extensive teaching experience in elementary schools across Sacramento, Santa Barbara, San Diego, and Colorado. When her oldest son was diagnosed with dyslexia, ADHD, and generalized anxiety, she pursued Wilson training. His success in reading at and above grade level fueled her passion for helping kids overcome their struggles and enjoy reading.

Maya received her BA in Biology and Chicanx Studies from the University of California, Davis, and has always had a deep love of learning. She is currently pursuing a Master's in Forensic Science at Syracuse University in New York, where she continues to explore her passion for science and its real-world applications. Now in her second year with the Read Learning Center, Maya continues to tutor remotely from New York. She finds immense joy in teaching and takes pride in helping her students build confidence, deepen their understanding, and reach their academic goals.

Veronica has always enjoyed lending a hand in helping children reach their full potential. While homeschooling her own children she realized every student is at the own pace as education is not a one size fits all. Every student deserves to learn at their own pace to ensure success. Veronica hopes to become an Registered Behavior Technician to help give children the life skills they need to be successful and independent.

Brianna Gonzalez is a reading instructor new to READ Academy. She earned her B.A. in Liberal Studies from Sacramento State and later pursued her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and M.A. in Education from Concordia University Irvine. Inspired by her own bilingual background in Spanish and English, she is passionate about supporting underserved and ESL students. Brianna taught fourth grade in Los Angeles for two years before returning to Sacramento to teach fourth and fifth grade at a charter school in Rosemont. After welcoming her first child, she chose a new path and found her way to READ Academy, where she looks forward to meeting your children's needs.

Chloe graduated with high honors from Natomas Charter: Early College Academy in 2023. She continued her education at Sacramento City College, earning a double Associate of Arts degree in English and Interdisciplinary Arts and Humanities in 2025. Chloe is an accomplished artist, actor, and published poet, having received multiple awards and recognitions for her poetry. Her passion for working with children began at an early age through Community Theatre and Academic Leadership Programs. She is committed to helping students find their voice while fostering a safe, supportive, and creative learning environment.

Candace currently serves as the Director of Classical Conversations, a homeschooling organization in Woodland, where she resides. Prior to her role as Director, Candace spent over four years tutoring all subjects in small class settings. Through homeschooling, she developed a deep love for lifelong learning and is excited to bring that same passion to READ Learning Center. Candace is committed to helping students reach their fullest potential by using kindness, patience, and individualized strategies to meet each child's unique needs.

Jason began working with children at age 11 after earning his Babysitting Certification from the American Red Cross. While babysitting, he discovered a passion for supporting young learners and went on to volunteer in elementary schools and women’s shelters, providing both care and tutoring. At age 18, Jason earned his Seal of Biliteracy and expanded his studies into linguistics. Tutoring at READ Learning Center allows him to combine his love of language with his dedication to working with children, creating the perfect blend of both interests.

Juan began working with students through his involvement in the student resource and cultural center at his college, where he discovered a strong passion for supporting others—particularly individuals who feel underrepresented within their communities. He earned his Associate’s Degree in Communications from Sacramento City College and has over three years of experience working with students. Juan is dedicated to fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment where students feel safe to express themselves and are empowered to become the best versions of themselves.

Cali is working on her BS in Psychology at Sacramento State University and wants to continue her education journey to her Master’s. Before working at READ, she has worked with different kids in different age ranges from K-12 in after-school programs and college-prep programs. She has a strong passion for working with children where she applies patience and understanding to cater to the needs to each of her students. Some hobbies that Cali enjoys on her free time are playing video games, making jewelry, and dancing.

Audrey holds a Bachelor of Science in International Business and worked as a computer programmer before retiring to raise her children. She homeschooled her sons from Kindergarten through 12th grade. After that, Audrey wanted to help other moms homeschool but it turned out that what they most requested was tutoring! Currently, she tutors for a homeschool enrichment program as well as for Read Learning Center. She is an in-demand tutor for both facilities and enjoys being a blessing to children and their families.

Tania is passionate about helping children become confident, successful readers. She believes every student learns differently and creates a supportive environment where students feel comfortable taking risks and celebrating progress. With years of classroom experience, she brings a patient, encouraging, student-centered approach. She holds a B.A. in Liberal Studies from CSU Sacramento and was honored as Breen Elementary's Site Employee of the Year. Outside work, she enjoys time at the lake with a good book alongside her family and dachshund, Beau.

Brianna’s passion for teaching and helping students began in high school where she became a tutor in Math and Science. She then went on to attend Sierra College where she pursued her Bachelor’s Degree in Science, while also completing courses in Psychology and Human Development. She utilizes her instruction in Making Math Real to educate her students efficiently, ensuring that they receive the quality of math instruction and a deep understanding that they deserve. She strives to create a positive and engaging environment where her students are able to build confidence and excel in their work.

Corinne began her teaching career over a decade ago, leading and developing after-school programs. With a double Bachelor’s in History and Liberal Arts, she has taught students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other neurodevelopmental hurdles. She tailors her approach to meet diverse learning needs, helping students achieve their full potential. In her spare time, she develops her small farm and builds large-scale machines for scientific exploration, blending engineering and fun.

Ava received her BA in Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and is deeply passionate about civic science education and environmental stewardship. Before joining Read Academy, she taught on Catalina Island, where she specialized in outdoor education with a focus on environmental stewardship and island biogeography. Ava is dedicated to fostering a dynamic and collaborative learning environment, encouraging students to engage with and explore the natural world. When she’s not in the classroom, Ava enjoys immersing herself in the outdoors, finding inspiration and relaxation in nature.

Megan joined our team in early 2022 as a Math Instructor. She creates a fun, engaging, and supportive environment while teaching students the fundamentals of Making Math Real. As a dedicated MMR instructor, she implements structured, multisensory, and incremental strategies that help students build confidence and overcome math challenges. Megan ensures every student feels capable and encouraged. Her dedication to growth is evident each day.

Reiley is a dedicated physical education teacher with a passion for fostering an active and healthy lifestyle among students. With a strong background in team sports, Reiley brings expertise on soccer, golf, wrestling, and cross country. His commitment to students' physical well-being is reflected in their achievements and positive impact on the school community.

Milo first joined READ in 2021 as the PE teacher and Aftercare Director. After briefly stepping away to pursue his goal of serving as a summer camp director, he is excited to return to READ Academy as a Social Studies and Writing teacher. He brings more than fifteen years of experience working with students from diverse communities. Milo earned his bachelor's degree from California State University, Long Beach, where he further developed his passion for helping students build confidence through communication. In his free time, he enjoys camping with his husband and dog.